: February 04, 2026
Patients with behavioral health conditions are often dually-burdened with chronic physical health conditions. Consequently, providers caring for these patients must coordinate their care to get the best possible health outcomes. The lack of reliable health information exchange and integration of health data across care settings can inhibit this essential care coordination. For example, individuals may face duplicative tests, medication errors, or gaps in care at critical moments. HHS recognizes the vital role that innovative health information technology (health IT) plays a vital role in solving these challenges. Improved electronic data exchange can expand access to behavioral health care, support enhanced care coordination, empower clinical decision-making, and lead to improved health outcomes.
The Behavioral Health Information Technology (BHIT) Initiative is addressing the need for improved data exchange in behavioral healthcare settings. Nine new pilot projects will advance health data exchange to improve behavioral health care coordination. View press release announcing the pilot projects.
BHIT Initiative
The BHIT Initiative is a $20 million effort led by ASTP/ONC and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The effort includes partnering with the industry to develop the USCDI+ Behavioral Health (USCDI+ BH) dataset and the FHIR® Behavioral Health Profiles Implementation Guide (BH IG) to provide standardized data elements and technical specifications to improve the state of behavioral health data exchange across care settings. The pilot projects will test the USCDI+ BH dataset and the FHIR® BH IG to assess behavioral health data exchange in real world settings across the country.
Pilots Selected
The testing will not only improve the standards and technical specifications of the USCDI+ BH dataset but will also provide vital information about providers’ implementation experience as well as legal and policy considerations for the broader provider community. Pilot participants represent 45 exchange partners across Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington, DC. Along with technical assistance, ASTP/ONC and SAMHSA will provide funds ranging from $300,000 to $690,000 to implement innovative, community-driven projects that test the USCDI+ BH dataset and FHIR® BH IG, and support improved behavioral health information exchange over the next year.